Magiae naturalis, sive de miraculis rerum naturalium, libri IIII. by Porta, I. B. [J. B. Porta] Condition: See description Antverpiae, Christophori Plantin, 1560. 8vo (16.3 x 10.6 cm). Title page with woodcut vignette, [xiv], 136, [i] pp. Contemporary full limp, blind vellum.= Very rare, early Plantin edition (Privilegio dated 25 Octob. 1559) of the first work by the Neapolitan mathematician and natural philosopher Giambattista [here Ioan Baptista]Della Porta (1535-1615). The first edition was published in Naples in 1558, and is very rare too. This work includes the very first description of the camera obscura or dark room; in other words, the description of the first technical device allowing the projection of an image. Also contains various observations and thoughts regarding geology, metallurgy and magnetism, as well as poisons, drugs, perfumes, etc. "Della Porta was an Italian scholar, polymath and playwright who lived in Naples at the time of the Scientific Revolution and Reformation. Giambattista della Porta spent the majority of his life on scientific endeavours. He benefited from an informal education of tutors and visits from renowned scholars. His most famous work, first published in 1558, is entitled Magiae Naturalis (Natural Magic). ... He was also referred to as 'professor of secrets' ... His private museum was visited by travelers and was one of the earliest examples of a natural history museum. It inspired the Jesuit Athanasius Kircher to begin a similar, even more renowned, collection in Rome. Della Porta was the founder of a scientific society called the Academia Secretorum Naturae (Accademia dei Segreti). This group was more commonly known as the Otiosi, (Men of Leisure). Founded sometime before 1580, the Otiosi were one of the first scientific societies in Europe and their aim was to study the 'secrets of nature'. Any person applying for membership had to demonstrate they had made a new discovery in the natural sciences" (Wikipedia). Pictorial bookplate "virtutis regia merces" of the Skene Library mounted on the front pastedown. Some old, skilful repairs to the binding. Internally a very good, clean and unmarked copy. DSB XI, pp. 95-98; Voet, 2085.

Autore : Io Baptista Della Porta
Editore : Antuerpiae
Anno di pubblicazione : 1560